Tech giant IBM has announced plans to cut thousands of jobs in the fourth quarter of 2025, joining a growing list of major companies trimming their workforce amid the rise of artificial intelligence.
“In the fourth quarter, we are executing an action that will impact a low single-digit percentage of our global workforce,” an IBM spokesperson told CNBC. “While this may affect some U.S.-based roles, our overall U.S. employment is expected to remain flat year over year.”
According to its latest annual report, IBM employed around 270,000 people at the end of 2024. A 1% reduction would translate to roughly 2,700 job cuts.
The move follows similar actions by other tech giants aiming to streamline operations and boost efficiency through AI.
In October, Amazon announced it would lay off 14,000 corporate workers, while Meta’s AI division reportedly let go of 600 employees.
Industry analysts say the layoffs highlight a shifting trend in the tech sector — companies are tightening budgets and restructuring teams, using AI as both a tool for innovation and a reason for downsizing.